There is not one person in the Commonwealth who has escaped the effects of our dependency on oil. We see it at the gas pump, in our heating bill and in the air.

With oil prices topping $90 a barrel, now is the time to get serious about developing alternative, clean-energy fuel sources.

Sen. Therese Murray

There is not one person in the Commonwealth who has escaped the effects of our dependency on oil. We see it at the gas pump, in our heating bill and in the air.
With oil prices topping $90 a barrel, now is the time to get serious about developing alternative, clean-energy fuel sources.

Most people have heard of corn-based ethanol, which comprises 10 percent of our gasoline at the pump. But, in Massachusetts, we are focusing on the next generation of ethanol – cellulosic – which can be produced from renewable resources that we have right here in the Commonwealth.

Cellulosic ethanol can be made from agricultural crops, such as cranberries, and also naturally-occurring algae and forest products, such as wood chips – all of which we have in abundance.

Some may ask: “If this is such a great solution, why haven’t we heard of it?” The production of cellulosic ethanol is just getting off the ground. To help spur development and usage, I have teamed up with the Governor and Speaker of the House to author legislation that will expand the use of biofuels and provide incentives for Massachusetts to be the center of research and development of cellulosic ethanol, while encouraging its production here as well.

The legislation we authored, with the assistance and expertise of Congressman Bill Delahunt, will allow Massachusetts to blaze yet another trail that other states are sure to follow. This bill will require a minimum amount of biodiesel as part of diesel fuel and heating fuel sold in Massachusetts. In 2010, it will require 2 percent biofuels, and 5 percent by 2013. The bill also exempts cellulosic ethanol used in transportation fuel from the gas tax for 10 years.

This exemption will encourage production and use at the earliest stages. Once cellulosic ethanol has become a common fuel source, and has a solid base, the exemption will expire. Furthermore, since this form of ethanol is not on the market, Massachusetts is not losing revenue by providing this tax exemption.

With these requirements and incentives, we are working to accomplish three major goals within the Commonwealth. First, we are trying to reduce emissions and clean up our air by increasing the content of our fuels with clean burning ethanol.

Second, we will reduce our dependence on foreign oil by producing biofuel at home.
Third, we are working to expand an emerging industry and attract more companies to the Commonwealth while utilizing our agricultural industry in a new way.

We anticipate that this initiative could grow our clean energy industry by potentially adding 3,000 jobs and increasing our revenue by $320 million. In the long run, we expect that consumers will save on their gas and heating fuels because Massachusetts will be reducing its dependence on foreign oil and bringing in fewer ethanol products from other parts of the country.

If we are ever going to be free of the tightening grip of foreign oil, the development of cellulosic ethanol and similar biofuels must be a priority for Massachusetts – for the sake of our bank accounts and future generations.

Massachusetts Senate President Therese Murray is in her eighth term in the Massachusetts Senate, representing Kingston, Pembroke, Plymouth, Plympton, Bourne, Falmouth, Sandwich and parts of Barnstable. She lives in Plymouth.

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